By Akinwale Kasali

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has urged the National Assembly to enact a stricter law prohibiting politicians from possessing large sums of money within polling areas in order to curb vote-buying and other electoral malpractices during elections.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, INEC, represented by INEC’s Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Tanimu Muhammed SAN, made this call to the National Assembly during a consultative meeting with security operatives and the technical committee on electoral law amendments in Abuja, where it highlighted the growing concern over vote-buying, which has become a major threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.

The meeting, organized by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC, and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, FCDO, provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss electoral security and legal reforms.

The INEC representative noted that politicians often justify carrying large amounts of cash on election day by citing party agent payments and logistics expenses. However, he warned that unrestricted cash circulation at polling units has fueled vote-buying and compromised the integrity of elections.

To address this challenge, Muhammed suggested that individuals should not be allowed to carry more than ?50,000 within polling areas.

“Vote-buying remains one of the biggest threats to credible elections in Nigeria. We need legislation that not only criminalizes this practice but also puts preventive measures in place,” Muhammed stated.

Beyond vote-buying, INEC officials reiterated their long-standing demand for the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission, arguing that the electoral body lacks the capacity to effectively prosecute offenders.

According to Muhammed, “INEC is doing its best to handle prosecutions, but we need a dedicated institution with the legal authority and resources to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes comprehensively. The creation of an Electoral Offenses Commission would ensure that vote-buying, ballot snatching, and other crimes are met with swift legal action”.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of election planning and evaluation, Abayomi Shogunle, who represented the Inspector General of Police, pointed out that inadequate resources often hamper law enforcement efforts during elections. “We face major logistical challenges, from deploying officers to remote areas to ensuring real-time communication during elections. These are issues that need to be addressed if we are to effectively enforce electoral laws,” Shogunle said.

Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun announced plans for a 2025 Electoral Act to replace the current 2022 version, which he said had exposed gaps during the 2023 elections.

Addressing the issues raised, Balogun, assured that all issues discussed would be addressed in future electoral reforms.

“The 2022 Electoral Act was a significant step forward, but its implementation in the last general elections showed areas that need improvement. We are committed to strengthening our electoral laws to reflect the realities of our democracy,” Balogun said.

He emphasized that, apart from legislative reforms, there was a need for increased awareness among political parties, INEC officials, and civil society organizations on the dangers of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.